Avalon, residents dismiss allegations of human rights violations

Busi Vilakazi

Residents and management of Avalon Home for the Disabled in Kensington have dismissed allegations of human rights violation.

The EXPRESS/NEWS visited Avalon on July 8 and had the opportunity to talk with the residents, staff members and kitchen staff regarding the allegations made by Avalon residents and published by national media recently. The allegations were that residents complained about hygiene, food, human rights abuses and financial transparency.

Ms Nhlanhla Jordan, a manager at Avalon, said the allegations were made by “a few residents responsible for problems such as non payment of rent”.

She said that management asked these residents to leave due to non-payment but they refused.

“The allegations are not true,” she said.

One couple, Mr Eric and Mrs Annina Conary, have been living at Avalon for the past 10 years.

They said they have never experienced any forms of abuse and have had no problems with hygiene.

“Different people have different preferences. If you don’t like what is given to you, then don’t eat it. No one if forcing you to eat it,” said Mr Conary.

“We are very happy here. It’s just a handful of people who are troublemakers and are trying to make the residents look bad and that is not fair. We should worry about important issues like the residents who are not paying rent. I would like to see more sponsors coming in on special days and giving gifts to residents because some don’t have homes and would appreciate any little gift,” said Mr Conary.

Another resident, Ms Theresa Hamer, was angered by the allegations made against Avalon. She has been a resident at the home since 1981.

“I have respect for our caregivers. They have been nothing but good to us,” said Ms Hamer.

She said the home has serious financial issues and people are worrying about “little stupid things that are not true”.

“They say our bathrooms and toilets have no doors – that is not true. The photo published by other media showing no doors was that of the sluice room, where they wash bedpans. We don’t use those rooms as bathrooms,” said Ms Hamer.

“We are happy with the way Ms Jordan has been running the place,” she said.

Ms Marlene Arlow has been a resident since 1966 and is one of the oldest residents at Avalon.

She said she has been a satisfied resident since her first day at Avalon.

“We are human. We have our off days but we should not describe that as abuse. A disagreement doesn’t mean abuse. There are only a few residents who have problems because they don’t want to follow the rules. They must just leave us alone and in peace. I’m grateful I have three meals a day, a roof over my head and people to look after me.

“Some residents here don’t have families. This is their only home,” said Ms Arlow.

Another resident, Ms Serne Goodchild, who also assists in the administration office, has been a resident of Avalon for the past 15 years.

“Avalon has been a wonderful place to me. When my dad couldn’t take care of me, he brought me here and I have been happy ever since. We are provided with everything we need and we are even allowed to keep pets, just as long you take care of your animal,” said Ms Goodchild.

Ms Jordan said people are afraid of transformation.

“As management, we have tried to attend to all the residents’ complaints. We called the Department of Social Development earlier this year because the same people complained about the same issues of food, hygiene and the management of donations. We decided to involve the complainants and asked them to form a food committee and provide us with a menu. We also requested that they get involved with the donation management team.

“It only lasted for a day and then they complained about the same food of their choice. We then had a meeting with the Department of Social Services. This meeting was a success as members attended and we could discuss issues. The second one was not successful as residents did not attend,” said Ms Jordan.

“Staff members are exposed to racial, verbal abuse and insults from the same trouble makers who have complained. Staff members complain to me, almost on a daily basis, about being insulted. Can you believe there are people here in Avalon who still use the k-word?

“Avalon has tried by all means to accommodate all residents, even those with financial problems. We don’t have enough sponsors. With the little we have, we prioritise and make sure we cover the basic needs. As it is, we have a high water bill which we don’t know how we are going to pay,” said Ms Jordan.

“The situation is serious but we don’t compromise our residents – even those not paying receive the basic needs of a clean place to live, hot water to bath and medication.

“The sponsor we have now is making a difference but there is just so much we need to cover as this building is old and we need to refurbish it. The pipes are old, hence the pipes block. If we allowed such issues that are not even burning issues to take over, Avalon would close down. If Avalon should close down because of non-paying residents, those residents who do pay will have no other home to go to,” said Ms Jordan.

The Department of Social Development said an investigation was conducted at Avalon on May 5 this year and further intervened and met with residents and staff on May 5 and 29 in order to resolve the complaints.

The findings were that the services provided to the beneficiaries are satisfactory.

“Beneficiaries get 24-hour nursing care and balanced meals. Despite the mentioned challenges, we are of the view that the organisation works in the best interests of its beneficiaries in ensuring that their well-being and dignity is upheld at all times. The non-payment of rentals by beneficiaries is a cause for concern as this affects the operations of the organisation,” said Ms Madali Chibambu, from the department.